Australian Test captain Michael Clarke has maintained his vigil at a Sydney hospital for his former Australian teammate Phillip Hughes, who is fighting for his life after being hit in the head by a bouncer at the SCG.
Hughes is in an induced coma in intensive care at St Vincent’s Hospital after surgery on Tuesday night to relieve pressure on his brain.
He remains in a critical condition and the outcome of the surgery is not expected to be known until Wednesday or Thursday.
Clarke was one of the first people to arrive at the hospital on Tuesday and is comforting Hughes’ mother and sister, who were watching the game in the stands.
Clarke returned to the hospital about 7am on Wednesday, according to the ABC.
Tributes for Hughes have been flowing in from the cricket community around the world.
England captain Alastair Cook said he was in shock at the news.
Cook told the BBC the thoughts and prayers of the England team were with Hughes and his family.
Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said he had received numerous messages of support, including from the New Zealand team which is touring the United Arab Emirates.
The 25-year-old former Test batsman was transported to hospital in a critical condition after being struck on the lower back of his neck by a Sean Abbott delivery during the second session of South Australia’s Sheffield Shield match with NSW.
The Australian cricket team’s Dr Peter Brukner will give a condition update on Wednesday morning.
“Phillip is in the best possible medical hands. The Cricket Australia community and his teammates … are thinking of his family and friends at this point,” he told media on Tuesday night outside the hospital.
Hughes made his Test debut in 2009 and has played 26 Tests for Australia, compiling 1535 runs at an average of 32.66.
With Australian selector Mark Waugh looking on in the SCG stands, Hughes had put together a composed 63 off 161 as he attempted to earn a Test recall for next week’s series opener against India.
Before the match he was considered a leading contender to replace Clarke in the Australian batting line-up for next week’s first Test against India with the Test captain struggling to recover from a hamstring injury.
Cricket commentator Jim Maxwell said Hughes’ injury is the worst he’s seen.
“It was just one of those horribly flukey things that can happen in the game,” he told ABC radio on Wednesday.
“Phil Hughes has ducked and weaved and hooked many short balls in his illustrious career.”
South Africa’s AB de Villiers said his thoughts and prayers went out to Hughes, while India’s V V S Laxman wished the Australian batsman a speedy recovery.
